Objective To study the effect of different concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] on cell proliferation,differentiation and the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in mouse MC3T3E1 osteoblast.Methods Osteoblast were cultured in medium with different concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3.Incubated for 48 h,cell proliferation of osteoblast were examined by MTT reduction assay (mono-nuclear cell direc cytotoxicity assay),the osteocalcin (OC) levels in cell medium were detected by ELISA,and the expression of VDR mRNA and protein were examined by using SYBR Green real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Results 1.After incubation with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 48 h,the number of MC3T3E1 osteoblast was significantly less than that in control group(P0.05).3.SYBR Green real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that the expression of VDR mRNA as well as VDR protein of osteoblast in 10-8,10-9 mol/L experimental groups were significantly higher than those in control group (Pa0.05).Conclusions Cell proliferation of mouse osteoblast can be inhibited,while the cell differentiation was promoted by 1,25(OH)2D3.1,25(OH)2D3 up-regulated the expression of VDR in mouse osteoblast,which suggested that the VDR signal pathway may play some role in proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast.

Objective To explore the correlation between anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide(A-CCP) antibody and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-?, rheumatoid factor(RF), ESR, PLT count and clinical features in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA), and the outcome of unclassified arthritis(arthralgia)patients after six months follow up. The value of A-CCP antibdy in the diagnosis of early RA and its pathogenetic roles is in- vestigated. Methods A-CCP antibody and TNF-?were detected by ELISA and the RF was tested by the rate scatting immunity method in 91 RA patients, 46 unclassified arthritis(arthralgia)patients and 45 other rheumatic diseases patients. Results A-CCP antibody levels in serum correlated significantly with TNF-?levels, PLT count and the degree of joint swelling in RA and unclassified arthritis(arthralgia)patients(r= 0.854, P=0.O00; r=0.882, P=0.000; r=0.318, P=0.002; r=0.486, P=0.001; r=0.291, P=0.005; r=0.731, P= 0.000 respectively). A-CCP antibody levels in serum was weakly negatively correlated with the gripping power in RA patients(r=0.228, P=0.030). And it was weakly correlated with ESR in unclassified arthritis(arthrai- gia)patients(r=0.365, P=0.013). Compared with other rheumatic diseases patients, A-CCP antibody levlels in serum increased significantly in RA and unclassified arthritis(arthralgia)patients(P=0.000). Compared with normal controls, it increased in other rheumatic diseases patients(P=0.011). Twenty-four patients had positive A-CCP antibody in 46 unclassified arthritis(arthralgia)patients. Thirty-two out of 46 unclassified arthritis(arthralgia)patients were early RA after 6 monthes follow up. 95.8%(23/24)unclassified arthritis (arthralgia)patients with positive A-CCP antibody were early RA. Conclusion A-CCP antibody reflects disease activity in certain extent. It's benefit to the diagnosis of early RA. High A-CCPantibody levels com- bined with high levels of TNF-?, ESR, PLT count and joint swelling can help the diagnosis of early RA.

OBJECTIVETo establish a rat model of low calcium diet related hyperoxaluria and explore its features.

METHODSBy means of randomized blocks design, totally 24 SD male rats were divided into low calcium diet group, medium calcium diet group, and high calcium diet group. Each group was sequentially fed on different calcium diets for 3 days. The urinary volume within 24 hours was recorded, the consistency of urinary oxalate by high-efficiency liquid chromatography, and the consistency of urine creatinine by automatic biochemical analyzer. The consistency was corrected to the output of urinary oxalate of rats in 24 hours, and the results were evaluated by repeated measurement of variance analysis and multivariate analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe output of urinary oxalate of rats in 24 hours varied with time (F=7.893, P0.05). The output of urinary oxalate of rats in 24 hours varied with group division (F=3.565, P<0.05). The output of urinary oxalate in 24 hours in three groups on the third day was significantly higher than that on the first day (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONBy controlling the calcium intake, we successfully established the model of low calcium diet related hyperoxaluria in rat.

Animals ; Calcium Carbonate ; administration & dosage ; Diet ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hyperoxaluria ; etiology ; urine ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between the MRI and some symptom scores of the patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), such as VAS (visual analogue scale), JOA (Japanese orthopedic association scale),and SLR (straight leg raising test) before and after manipulative therapy.

METHODSFrom June to December in 2007, 70 patients with LDH were selected in the study. Among the patients, 40 patients were male and 30 patients were female, ranging in age from 21 to 56 years (averaged 39 years). MRI was used to measure the size and position of the protruded nucleus pulposus (size of disc protrution, the angle between nerve root canal and disc protrution). Correlation study was conducted between the MRI and VAS, JOA, and SLR before and after therapy. The correlation between the changes of MRI and that of the quantified clinical indexes of LDH patients was also analyzed.

RESULTSThere were significant differences before and after therapy in some quantified indexes for the clinical manifestation of the patients, such as VAS, JOA,and SLR. There were no significant changes in the shape and size of protrude nucleus pulposus after 20 days' therapy by CT or MR recheck. Correlation study between the quantified indexes of clinical manifestation (JOA) and MRI before and after the treatment showed that there was no significant correlation.

CONCLUSIONThe study proves again that the shape and size of protrude nucleus pulposus has no paralleled relation with the patient's clinical manifestation,which is demonstrated by the recheck of MRI after a successful spinal manipulative treatment in the study.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the protein and mRNA levels of Rac1 in glioma tissues,and explore the correlation of Rac1 with pathological grades. Methods Immunofluorescence,RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the protein and mRNA levels of Rac1 in 45 cases of gliomas tissues and 10 cases of normal brain tissues. Results The results indicated that normal brain tissues showed no protein and mRNA expressions of Rac1, and that of Rac1 highly expressed in glioma tissues (42/45 at most). The spearman correlation analysis revealed that the levels of transcription and expression of Rac1 were positively correlated to the tumor grades; positive expression rate of Rac1 in high grade of glioma was statistically higher than that in low grade of glioma. Conclusion The high expressions of Rac1 in the glioma are closely correlated to the tumor cell invasion and metastasis, which can be used as a marker indicating the malignance and proliferation of glioma.

Objective To investigate the microsurgery and management of postoperative complications in pediatric patients with intrinsic third ventricular craniopharyngiomas. Methods From July 2005 to May 2011, 18 pediatric patients with intrinsic third ventricular craniopharyngiomas were treated by microsurgery via the transcallosal-interseptal-interfomix approach. The microsurgical procedures and management of postoperative complications were analyzed retrospectively. Results The tumors were totally resected in 13 cases, subtotally resected in 3 and partially resected in 2. The symptoms and signs of the patients were improved in varying degrees. The major postoperative complications included diabetes insipidus (15/18),electrolyte disturbance (12/18),central hyperthermia (5/18) and epilepsy (4/18). The complications all responded to active managements. The global therapeutic outcomes were fine. Conclusions The resection via the transcal-losal-interseptal-interfomix approach is an ideal treatment of the pediatric intrinsic third ventricular craniopharyngiomas. Active management of postoperative complications is essential to a good prognosis of the patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of serum levels of chitinase-3-like-1 protein (YKL-40) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS), to explore its correlation with its severity, and to observe the effects of Guizhi Fuling Decoction (GFD) on levels of blood lipids, YKL-40, and hs-CRP.

METHODSRecruited were 72 patients with unstable angina (UA) or non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) at Department of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College from August 2010 to June 2011. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (36 cases) and the control group (36 cases). All patients were treated by routine treatment, but patients in the treatment group took GFD additionally. The course of treatment was four weeks. According to the severity degree, all patients were graded to four ranks: low-risk group of UA, medium-risk group of UA, high-risk group of UA, and NSTEMI. The levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP, and the correlation of severity degree were analyzed. Before and after treatment levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured. Before treatment, at two weeks, and after treatment the serum levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP were detected. The relationship of YKL-40, hs-CRP and the severity of the disease were analyzed.

RESULTSLevels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP were positively correlated with the severity of the disease respectively (r = 0.729, P < 0.05; r = 0.655, P < 0.05). The positive correlation also existed between YKL-40 and hs-CRP (r = 0.848, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the levels of blood lipids, YKL-40, or hs-CRP between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment, the levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP significantly decreased in both groups after two weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, YKL-40, and hs-CRP significantly decreased, while the HDL-C level increased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05). The level of HDL-C in the treatment group was higher, while levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP were lower after treatment, when compared with the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of anti-inflammation and adjusting blood lipids by Western medicine, GFD could further reduce the serum levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP of ACS patients, elevate the HDL-C level, and play anti-atherosclerosis effects.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Adipokines ; blood ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lectins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between various Chinese medicine (CM) types and T-cell subsets (CD4(+) and CD8(+)) in the colonic mucous membranes of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODSFifty UC patients were enrolled, after differentiation into four types by CM syndromes, i.e., the internal heat-damp accumulation type (IHDA), the qi-stagnancy with blood stasis type (QSBS), the Pi-Shen yang-deficiency type (PSYD) and the yin-blood deficiency type (YBD). From every patient, 3-5 pieces of intestinal mucous membrane tissues were taken through colonoscopy to determine the levels of the T-cell subsets (CD4(+) and CD8(+)) using immunohistochemical method. The results were compared with those in the normal control.

RESULTSThe level of CD8(+)increased and the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+)decreased mainly in colonic mucous membranous tissues in UC patients. The level of CD4(+)decreased significantly in IHDA types (P<0.01), but decreased only slightly in the PSYD, QSBS and YBD types. CD8(+)increased significantly in the IHDA types (P<0.01), but only slightly in the other three types.

CONCLUSIONThe IHDA types of UC are closely related with T-cell subsets. The difference of T-cell subsets in various IHDA types of UC patients has provided a theoretical basis for syndrome differentiation in the CM typing of UC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Blood Circulation ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; immunology ; pathology ; Colon ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Qi ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; Yang Deficiency ; immunology ; pathology ; Yin Deficiency ; immunology ; pathology ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Brain Injuries ; blood ; complications ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; analysis ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUNDDNA analysis has shown a lack of significant compatibility between couples affected by unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) compared with normal fertile couples, [8] although one study that made use of a PCR-sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) method did observe evidence of significant compatibility in the HLA-DQA1 and DQB1 alleles between patients and aborted fetuses. [9] This study was designed to investigate whether URSA were associated with particular DQ alleles or promoter alleles.

METHODSThirty-two patients with URSA and 54 women who had had at least one successful pregnancy were included in this study. HLA-DQ genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The HLA-DQB1 promoter was detected by the SSO and sequence-specific primer (SSP) methods. The DQA1, DQB1, and DQB1 promoter (QBP) gene frequencies in the patients were compared with the gene frequencies in normal controls. The data were analyzed statistically with the chi(2) and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTSThe results showed that the frequency of DQB1 * 0604/0605 was significantly higher and the frequency of DQB1 * 0501/0502 was significantly lower in the patient group as compared with the normal controls. In addition, the frequencies of the DQA1 * 01-DQB1 * 0604/0605 and QBP6.2-DQB1 * 0604/0605 haplotypes were overrepresented in the patients relative to the controls. Our results did not show any differences between URSA patients and the controls with regard to DQA1 and QBP allele frequencies.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that URSA is associated with the HLA-DQB1 coding region, and is not associated with its upstream regulatory region. The DQB1 * 0604/0605, DQA1 * 01-DQB1 * 0604/0605, and QBP6.2-DQB1 * 0604/0605 haplotypes may confer susceptibility to URSA, while the DQB1 * 0501/0502 allele may protect women from URSA.

Abortion, Habitual ; etiology ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; HLA-DQ Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ beta-Chains ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Open Reading Frames ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy